Week 6

Week 6: What recent advancements have been made in the field of genetics?

I can identify and explain how the contributions of scientists in the fields of genetics, heredity and evolution have shaped and advanced scientific theory.

Rundown of the Week

• Monday: Genetic Advancement Project
  • In Class Assignment: Choose a project topic (Cloning, Genetic Engineering, or the Human Genome Project) and research your topic using links listed below.
  • Homework: Study for unit assessment on Thursday!

• Tuesday: Genetic Advancement Project
  • In Class Assignment: Finish project by posting a discussion post in the tab above with a summary, then respond to a group member's post.
  • Homework: Study for unit assessment on Thursday!

• Wednesday: Unit Wrap-Up
  • In Class Assignment: Review research from Genetic Advancement Project with an in class discussion, then evaluate progress with discussion posts throughout the term.
  • Homework: Study for unit assessment tomorrow!

• Thursday: Final Unit Assessment
  • In Class Assignment: Take unit assessment.
  • Homework: None! See you next term!! :)

---

Daily Lessons

Monday: Genetic Advancement Project

Objective: Students will begin to explore the I Can... Statement: "I can identify and explain how the contributions of scientists in the fields of genetics, heredity and evolution have shaped and advanced scientific theory," by researching recent advancements in the field of genetics and drawing conclusions based on research from different perspectives.

• This week we will be researching some of the recent advancements in the field of genetics. You will get to choose from ONE of the following three subjects:
  • Cloning (group of up to 8 students)
  • Genetically Engineered Food (group of up to 4 students)
  • Human Genome Project (individual project)

• Cloning Project:

• Within your group, each student will select one role to use as a perspective to research cloning. The options are: Cloning Expert, Lawmaker, Animal Rights Advocate, Farmer, Pharmaceutical Company, Stem Cell Researcher, Medical Ethics Expert, and Theology Expert. It is OK if you have fewer than 8 students in your group -- you get more of a choice that way!

• On each of the pages linked to above, you will find an "objective" (or what you should be looking for in your research) and several links to get you started. You can also use the general cloning page if you need some background information about what cloning is.

• Along with the "objective" on your role page, your goal by the end of tomorrow is to write a 2-3 paragraph summary from your role's perspective about cloning. Your summary SHOULD be persuasive and take a position -- is cloning useful or not? -- and be backed up with data. You can write this summary in a Word document.

• Your next task is to create ONE discussion thread for your group under the discussion tab above, and copy/paste your 2-3 paragraph summary in the thread. Be sure to state your role and your real name.

• Finally, once each group member has posted their summary, you must respond in 3-5 sentences in a new post in the same thread to one (or more if you'd like!) of your group members. Respond from your role's perspective. Remember to use only data to agree or disagree with your group member, you should not make any personal remarks.

• When you have finished both posts, please evaluate your discussion posts with the Discussion Post Rubric for the final time this term.

• Genetically Engineered Food Project:

• Within your group, each student will select one role to use as a perspective to research genetically engineered food. The options are: Environmentalist, Scientist, Consumer Advocate, and Legislator. You can find the resources for each of these roles here, as well as some general information about genetically engineered food.

• Along with the "objective" on your role page, your goal by the end of tomorrow is to write a 2-3 paragraph summary from your role's perspective about genetically engineered food. Your summary SHOULD be persuasive and take a position -- is genetically engineered food safe and useful or not? -- and be backed up with data. You can write this summary in a Word document.

• Your next task is to create ONE discussion thread for your group under the discussion tab above, and copy/paste your 2-3 paragraph summary in the thread. Be sure to state your role and your real name.

• Finally, once each group member has posted their summary, you must respond in 3-5 sentences in a new post in the same thread to one (or more if you'd like!) of your group members. Respond from your role's perspective. Remember to use only data to agree or disagree with your group member, you should not make any personal remarks.

• When you have finished both posts, please evaluate your discussion posts with the Discussion Post Rubric for the final time this term.

• Human Genome Project:

• You will be working by yourself to investigate the Human Genome Project. Using National Human Genome Research Institute, NOVA - Cracking the Code of Life, About the Human Genome Projectas resources (as well as any others you find), you need to write a 4-5 paragraph summary about the Human Genome Project answering the following questions:
  • What is the Human Genome Project?
  • Where was the project carried out?
  • What scientists were involved?
  • Whose genetic material was involved in the study?
  • Who financed the project?
  • What are the potential positive and negative outcomes of the study?

• Once you have written your summary, you need to create one discussion thread in the discussion tab above, and copy/paste your summary in the thread.

• When you have finished the post, please evaluate your discussion posts with the Discussion Post Rubric for the final time this term.

Tuesday: Genetic Advancement Project

• Today is a work day on your Genetic Advancement Project. If you finish early, you may spend time studying for your final unit assessment on Thursday.

Wednesday: Unit Wrap-Up

• Today we will have a class "debate," allowing you to share the information you researched this week. We will also spend some time evaluating your progress with your Discussion Posts and Embedding Widgets by looking back at your rubrics from the term. This will be an entirely in class day.

Thursday: Final Unit Assessment

• Congratulations! You have survived first term, and hopefully you have learned quite a bit about the many ways that you can create and collaborate online. You will be taking your final assessment today in class.